A vehicle is one of the biggest investments that people make in their lifetime.  And although purchasing a used vehicle allows motorists a great savings, it can be risky.  So, in addition to buying an auto warranty, what can consumers do to protect themselves from ending up with a lemon?  Read on.

An essential step that you should take when buying a used car is to have the car examined by a licensed mechanic to rule out major mechanical problems.

You also can do some things on your own.  For example, a soft magnet will allow you to determine if there is damage to the body of the car.  Running the magnet along the doors and fenders will tell you if there is body filler under the paintjob.  If the magnet doesn’t stick, this is probably the case.

It is also a good idea to look on the interior of the car to see if there is water stains.  A car that has experienced water damage could mean trouble for you in the future.

In addition, take a look at the tires of the car.  If the outside edges of the tires are worn down, the vehicle might be out of alignment or have worn-out components.

Do your homework to ensure that you make a wise car purchase.  In addition, know that used car warranties will ensure that you don’t pay unnecessary repair expenses down the road.